tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27704335653337829902011-06-22T04:13:26.412-07:00Making independent moves in theater, start-ups and life.Maha Chehlaouihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17295926413872710366noreply@blogger.comBlogger201100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2770433565333782990.post-45688467036584861392009-01-15T11:19:00.001-08:002009-01-15T11:29:13.079-08:00

This is just a test- trying out the snagfilms widget. Snagfilms is a very cool sight. Just happened to try it out using a video on health insurance- a subject that makes me NUTSO!It's kind of annoying that when you click on the widget to watch the film it opens in a new window. On my browser at least that often gets blocked as a pop up. Why can't it just play where it is? Like Youtube does?

Maha Chehlaouihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17295926413872710366noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2770433565333782990.post-46896441707889003672009-01-08T16:23:00.000-08:002009-01-10T14:21:12.715-08:00

Call2Action is making the move to reach out and be reachable. It is an interesting time. My nature is to be careful. Yes I am the girl who will research great weekend getaways only to realize I have wasted the weekend doing the research... So, this is an interesting moment. All the research I have been doing about social media is about to turn into action. All I can think over and over again is

Maha Chehlaouihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17295926413872710366noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2770433565333782990.post-40336637863438361582008-12-12T09:36:00.000-08:002008-12-12T10:00:10.571-08:00

Too early to say "I am back and check out for regular updates!" I can say, I am interested in putting words and work out there again. But what? Normally I would say just write whatever but my thoughts are going down some disparate paths and I am not quite sure how to organize myself. Here are some things I want to write about:1. I have learned a TON about online marketing, creating and joining

Maha Chehlaouihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17295926413872710366noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2770433565333782990.post-83904340228671928762008-05-07T15:24:00.001-07:002008-05-08T08:26:33.779-07:00

I see now the bar was officially raised for my work- in any field, acting or otherwise. Suddenly, I expect it to be interesting, engaging, collaborative, and fun.  I want my cast or team to be ready- to rally around one another in moments of fear or exhaustion. I expect to be in a respectful and courteous environment. And, I want to be paid a living wage for that.  Now, I know this is not the

Maha Chehlaouihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17295926413872710366noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2770433565333782990.post-34807251313743332332008-05-02T08:50:00.000-07:002008-05-02T11:39:15.565-07:00

These past weeks I have been running around full of energy and inspiration. Call2Action is moving from strength to strength.  At Tribeca film festival and other meetings we heard a resounding need for someone to make taking action after seeing cause related media easier. The idea that such a simple service could create a groundswell for change was voiced again and again.So C2A is on the verge of

Maha Chehlaouihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17295926413872710366noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2770433565333782990.post-10453592720302788112008-04-28T17:11:00.000-07:002008-04-28T17:40:06.943-07:00

So, in keeping with the networking idea, a couple nights of nights ago I went to see the intelligent and well made documentary, Lioness, at the Tribeca Film Fest. It was about women who had served in Iraq and were never meant to see active duty, then became part of the Lioness Operation, basically accompanying male units in the field. Due to the gender segregation in much of Iraq, this was a

Maha Chehlaouihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17295926413872710366noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2770433565333782990.post-90788940843075729962008-04-19T08:24:00.000-07:002008-04-19T09:59:42.182-07:00

(This started as a chronicle of my time at the Guthrie, but I think that is too narrow. The people want MORE! Ha. I don't think my own family even reads this- I know my husband doesn't. He thinks blogs are strange. He is 100% right.)I have always been somewhat wary of networking and much of my current network is built on happenstance, old friendships, and the work that came from that. I am only

Maha Chehlaouihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17295926413872710366noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2770433565333782990.post-22455444130243449982008-02-27T14:35:00.000-08:002008-02-27T14:47:48.251-08:00

Things are coming to a close here in Peer Gynt land- I should have written more once the show opened but at the time it seemed rehearsal was the thing of interest. Now looking back I think some things were worth noting...We leave in a few days and I am finally ready to go home. I have loved Minneapolis- the people have been warm and this city is just amazing. People seem to really participate in

Maha Chehlaouihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17295926413872710366noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2770433565333782990.post-72837495904143219032008-01-22T09:39:00.000-08:002008-01-22T10:01:28.954-08:00

Well, we are now a few performances past opening but I would be remiss to keep a blog on this experience and not write about the milestone of opening night.I think I sort of skipped over it, because of several conversations I had had about how it is an over pressured evening and the play is where it is and will continue to grow so that Opening is sort of like a false milestone in a way. An

Maha Chehlaouihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17295926413872710366noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2770433565333782990.post-5523708214517008752008-01-17T22:28:00.000-08:002008-01-17T22:40:21.164-08:00

This has been the most insane tech/preview week ever. Ever. And I am so sad it is ending. With its culmination comes the departure of our directer and designers all of whom are so part of this insane family we have created. It is so gratfiying to walk (stagger) through the bar at night's end and just hear over and over and in so many ways this experience has been so moving. The desire to just

Maha Chehlaouihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17295926413872710366noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2770433565333782990.post-88787610504367308402008-01-12T08:31:00.001-08:002008-01-12T09:22:58.066-08:00

Tech has been an insanely intense experience, for me at least. First, just seeing that space and the set and all the other elements at work was kind of mindblowing. The set is gorgeous. Some of you are coming up so I won't spoil it for you.The process that has led to the play has not been very conducive to your normal tech. I suppose that should be obvious as nothing about this process has been

Maha Chehlaouihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17295926413872710366noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2770433565333782990.post-46623467747132125722008-01-04T21:05:00.000-08:002008-01-17T22:26:54.987-08:00

Many, many interesting moments today in our rehearsal... Top of the day began with a costume fitting- and it became clear that the open nature of our rehearsal process was truly a challenge. The costumes here are these wonderful handmade very crafted pieces built with a lot of attention to detail. Or, they are shopped for with that same sense of specificity... from day to day the staging changes

Maha Chehlaouihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17295926413872710366noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2770433565333782990.post-56066491939252294622008-01-03T19:08:00.001-08:002008-01-03T19:20:13.113-08:00

We are going into longer days now as we head into tech and it is certainly taking a physical toll! All that dancing is whirling around in my head and I never know if I am meant to be polka stepping, waltzing or making snake hips!It has been such an amazing process, one that I love to watch but would be quite hesitant to lead. I think the gentle confidence of the choreographer, sound designer and

Maha Chehlaouihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17295926413872710366noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2770433565333782990.post-91711311834536599312007-12-28T15:16:00.000-08:002007-12-28T15:25:01.782-08:00

Well the holidays were really wonderful- Stefano finally made it after numerous snafus, just a day late. Upon his arrival, the eating commenced- we cooked up a storm! Salmon, tilapia muniere, spaghettini carbonara, grilled pork loin, roast potatoes. tomatoes stuffed with roasted vegetables, and we never made it to the chocolate fondue... stay tuned!Rehearsals are back infull swing. Today we

Maha Chehlaouihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17295926413872710366noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2770433565333782990.post-24651939918627620202007-12-20T15:06:00.001-08:002007-12-20T15:41:50.647-08:00

Dancing is so much about being able to be a good leader and a good follower. In the dances where we switch partners it is interesting to see that one combo is a weak link, yet with the switch of a partner, the slates are cleared and once again we are in the running for Best in Show haha. Sometimes the pair who seemed to be made of 4 left legs, when repartnered are Fred and Ginger. There is

Maha Chehlaouihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17295926413872710366noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2770433565333782990.post-75312324617526282022007-12-18T22:10:00.000-08:002007-12-18T22:22:29.283-08:00

Interesting- I think the time to stop trusting in the process is rearing its head as the time crunch approaches- though in my book we still have ages. After doing Othello on three weeks rehearsal I sort of feel we are golden! It is not happening in any mass way- just I am catching little things here and there- I don't think TC's (Tim Carrol, director) way is a common one to the Guthrie folks. It

Maha Chehlaouihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17295926413872710366noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2770433565333782990.post-49028128917872424142007-12-13T19:38:00.000-08:002007-12-13T20:37:53.032-08:00

Today I had my first one on one rehearsal and I was so glad that we did not have the scripts beforehand. Honestly I am really beginning to believe that if you get a great group of people together and have a brave enough director, doing preparation on your own is not the way to go. Obviously there are exceptions to this- one person shows- duh, monologues, scenes where you talk to the dead and so

Maha Chehlaouihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17295926413872710366noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2770433565333782990.post-58073541439850384162007-12-11T15:15:00.000-08:002007-12-11T15:29:42.587-08:00

Today was another day of dancing! Yay! And no tears from me- just loads of sweat and I think I broke my crotch. Or whatever that muscle in your hipsocket down by your business is...Anyway. Never mind.We practiced a circle dance today for a good sweaty while, spinning and hopping and skipping- no moving the hips! We were told to keep in mind the verticality of the dancers we had seen 2 days ago at

Maha Chehlaouihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17295926413872710366noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2770433565333782990.post-8497915086605905932007-12-08T14:40:00.000-08:002007-12-08T15:15:06.304-08:00

It is freezing here. Freezing like I run across the street from my flat to the theater and worry my lungs have solidified freezing. All that aside though, I am still quite blown away by everything. Yesterday night I had the interesting experience of explaining my recent history in NY as an actor and director to our show's Director. He interjected saying he had the same issue with the RSC.

Maha Chehlaouihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17295926413872710366noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2770433565333782990.post-50453406064974240302007-12-05T20:18:00.000-08:002007-12-05T20:48:08.294-08:00

Wow so it has been a pretty wild three days. The first day I got here I was met at the airport by the kind & helpful Ben, assistant company manager and talented painter in his own right. I found out from the ladies at the wig shop that he has one subject- his wife-aaaaaaaaawwwwwwwwww and I saw a little postcard of his work and it was gorgeous. He is going to the Art Basel Miami or whatever order

Maha Chehlaouihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17295926413872710366noreply@blogger.com0